Envelope tracking system with modeling of a power amplifier supply voltage filter

ABSTRACT

Envelope tracking systems with modeling for power amplifier supply voltage filtering are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an envelope tracking system includes a supply voltage filter, a power amplifier that receives a power amplifier supply voltage through the supply voltage filter, and an envelope tracker that generates the power amplifier supply voltage. The power amplifier provides amplification to a radio frequency (RF) signal that is generated based on digital signal data, and the envelope tracker generates the power amplifier supply voltage based on an envelope signal corresponding to an envelope of the RF signal. The envelope tracking system further includes digital modeling circuitry that models the supply voltage filter and operates to digitally compensate the digital signal data for effects of the supply voltage filter, such as distortion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/302,993, filed May 18, 2021, and entitled “ENVELOPE TRACKING SYSTEMWITH MODELING OF A POWER AMPLIFIER SUPPLY VOLTAGE FILTER,” which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/678,696, filed Nov. 8,2019, and entitled “ENVELOPE TRACKING SYSTEM WITH MODELING OF A POWERAMPLIFIER SUPPLY VOLTAGE FILTER,” which claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/769,982, filed Nov. 20, 2018, and entitled “ENVELOPE TRACKING SYSTEMWITH MODELING OF A POWER AMPLIFIER SUPPLY VOLTAGE FILTER,” each of whichis herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

Embodiments of the invention relate to electronic systems, and inparticular, to power amplifiers for radio frequency (RF) electronics.

Description of the Related Technology

Power amplifiers are used in RF communication systems to amplify RFsignals for transmission via antennas. It is important to manage thepower of RF signal transmissions to prolong battery life and/or providea suitable transmit power level.

Examples of RF communication systems with one or more power amplifiersinclude, but are not limited to, mobile phones, tablets, base stations,network access points, customer-premises equipment (CPE), laptops, andwearable electronics. For example, in wireless devices that communicateusing a cellular standard, a wireless local area network (WLAN)standard, and/or any other suitable communication standard, a poweramplifier can be used for RF signal amplification. An RF signal can havea frequency in the range of about 30 kHz to 300 GHz, such as in therange of about 410 MHz to about 7.125 GHz for certain communicationsstandards.

SUMMARY

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an envelopetracking system. The envelope tracking system includes a modulatorconfigured to generate a radio frequency signal based on digital signaldata, a supply voltage filter, a power amplifier configured to amplifythe radio frequency signal and to receive power from a power amplifiersupply voltage through the supply voltage filter, an envelope trackerconfigured to generate the power amplifier supply voltage based on anenvelope signal corresponding to an envelope of the radio frequencysignal, and digital modeling circuitry operable to model the supplyvoltage filter and to compensate the digital signal data for distortionarising from the supply voltage filter.

In various embodiments, the envelope tracking system further includes ananalog-to-digital converter configured to generate a digitalrepresentation of the power amplifier supply voltage, the digitalmodeling circuitry calibrated based on the digital representation of thepower amplifier supply voltage.

In some embodiments, the envelope tracking system further includes anamplitude extraction circuit configured to process the digital signaldata to generate digital envelope data and a shaping circuit configuredto process the digital envelope data to generate shaped envelope data,the envelope signal generated based on the shaped envelope data.According to a number of embodiments, the digital modeling circuitry isfurther configured to compensate the digital signal data based on theshaped envelope data. In accordance with several embodiments, theenvelope tracking system further includes digital pre-distortioncircuitry configured to digitally pre-distort the digital signal data,the amplitude extraction circuit configured to generate the digitalenvelope data based on the digital signal data after digitalpre-distortion. According to a various, the amplitude extraction circuitincludes a coordinate rotation digital computation circuit. Inaccordance with a number of embodiments, the shaping table includes anenvelope tracking lookup table mapping a plurality of envelope levels ofthe digital envelope data to a plurality of corresponding shapedenvelope levels of the shaped envelope data.

In several embodiments, the supply voltage filter includes at least oneseries inductor.

In a number of embodiments, the supply voltage filter includes at leastone shunt capacitor.

In various embodiments, the envelope tracking system includes digitalpre-distortion circuitry configured to digitally pre-distort the digitalsignal data, the digital pre-distortion circuitry configured to receivea digital compensation signal from the digital modeling circuitry.

In some embodiments, the envelope tracker is a multi-level envelopetracker including a DC-to-DC converter configured to output a pluralityof regulated voltages and a modulator having an output configured tocontrol the power amplifier supply voltage based on the plurality ofregulated voltages and the envelope signal.

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a mobiledevice. The mobile device includes a transceiver configured to generatea radio frequency signal based on digital signal data, a front endcircuit including a supply voltage filter and a power amplifierconfigured to amplify the radio frequency signal and to receive powerfrom a power amplifier supply voltage through the supply voltage filter,a power management circuit including an envelope tracker configured togenerate the power amplifier supply voltage based on an envelope signalcorresponding to an envelope of the radio frequency signal, and abaseband circuit including digital modeling circuitry operable to modelthe supply voltage filter and to compensate the digital signal data fordistortion arising from the supply voltage filter.

In various embodiments, the baseband circuit further includes ananalog-to-digital converter configured to generate a digitalrepresentation of the power amplifier supply voltage, the digitalmodeling circuitry calibrated based on the digital representation.

In several of embodiments, the baseband circuit further includes anamplitude extraction circuit configured to process the digital signaldata to generate digital envelope data and a shaping circuit configuredto process the digital envelope data to generate shaped envelope data,the envelope signal generated based on the shaped envelope data.According to some embodiments, the digital modeling circuitry is furtherconfigured to compensate the digital signal data based on the shapedenvelope data. In accordance with a number of embodiments, the basebandcircuit further includes digital pre-distortion circuitry configured todigitally pre-distort the digital signal data, the amplitude extractioncircuit configured to generate the digital envelope data based on thedigital signal data after digital pre-distortion. According to severalembodiments, the amplitude extraction circuit includes a coordinaterotation digital computation circuit. In accordance with someembodiments, the shaping table includes an envelope tracking lookuptable mapping a plurality of envelope levels of the digital envelopedata to a plurality of corresponding shaped envelope levels of theshaped envelope data.

In various embodiments, the supply voltage filter includes at least oneseries inductor.

In a number of embodiments, the supply voltage filter includes at leastone shunt capacitor.

In several embodiments, the baseband circuit further includes digitalpre-distortion circuitry configured to digitally pre-distort the digitalsignal data, the digital pre-distortion circuitry configured to receivea digital compensation signal from the digital modeling circuitry.

In some embodiments, the envelope tracker is a multi-level envelopetracker including a DC-to-DC converter configured to output a pluralityof regulated voltages and a modulator having an output configured tocontrol the power amplifier supply voltage based on the plurality ofregulated voltages and the envelope signal.

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method ofenvelope tracking. The method further includes generating a radiofrequency signal based on digital signal data, amplifying the radiofrequency signal using a power amplifier, providing a power amplifiersupply voltage to the power amplifier through a supply voltage filter,generating the power amplifier supply voltage based on an envelopesignal corresponding to an envelope of the radio frequency signal usingan envelope tracker, and compensating the digital signal data fordistortion arising from the supply voltage filter using a digital modelof the supply voltage filter.

In various embodiments, the method further includes generating a digitalrepresentation of the power amplifier supply voltage using ananalog-to-digital converter, and calibrating the digital model based onthe digital representation.

In several embodiments, the method further includes processing thedigital signal data to generate digital envelope data, shaping thedigital envelope data to generate shaped envelope data, and generatingthe envelope signal based on the shaped envelope data. According to anumber of embodiments, the method further includes compensating thedigital signal data using the digital model based on the shaped envelopedata. In accordance with various embodiments, the method furtherincludes digitally pre-distorting the digital signal data beforeprocessing the digital signal data to generate digital envelope data.

In some embodiments, the supply voltage filter includes at least oneseries inductor.

In various embodiments, the supply voltage filter includes at least oneshunt capacitor.

In a number of embodiments, the method further includes digitallypre-distorting the digital signal data based on the digital model.

In several embodiments, generating the power amplifier supply voltageincludes outputting a plurality of regulated voltages using a DC-to-DCconverter, and controlling the power amplifier supply voltage using amodulator that receives the plurality of regulated voltages and theenvelope signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an envelope trackingsystem for a power amplifier.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an envelopetracking system for a power amplifier.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an envelopetracking system for a power amplifier.

FIG. 4A is a graph of one example of collector current and voltagecharacteristics versus time.

FIG. 4B is a graph of one example of system output spectrum.

FIG. 5A is a graph of another example of collector current and voltagecharacteristics versus time.

FIG. 5B is a graph of another example of system output spectrum.

FIG. 6 is a graph of one example of adjacent channel leakage ratioversus output power.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an envelopetracking system for a power amplifier.

FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an envelopetracking system for a power amplifier.

FIG. 8A is a Smith chart showing one example of error vector magnitudecontours.

FIG. 8B is a Smith chart showing another example of error vectormagnitude contours.

FIG. 9 is a graph of another example of adjacent channel leakage ratioversus output power.

FIG. 10 is a graph of another example of collector current and voltagecharacteristics versus time.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a mobile device according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a multi-level supply (MLS) modulationsystem according to one embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an MLS DC-to-DC converter according toone embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of certain embodiments presentsvarious descriptions of specific embodiments. However, the innovationsdescribed herein can be embodied in a multitude of different ways, forexample, as defined and covered by the claims. In this description,reference is made to the drawings where like reference numerals canindicate identical or functionally similar elements. It will beunderstood that elements illustrated in the figures are not necessarilydrawn to scale. Moreover, it will be understood that certain embodimentscan include more elements than illustrated in a drawing and/or a subsetof the elements illustrated in a drawing. Further, some embodiments canincorporate any suitable combination of features from two or moredrawings.

Envelope tracking is a technique that can be used to increase poweradded efficiency (PAE) of a power amplifier by efficiently controlling avoltage level of a power amplifier supply voltage in relation to anenvelope of a radio frequency (RF) signal amplified by the poweramplifier. Thus, when the envelope of the RF signal increases, thevoltage supplied to the power amplifier can be increased. Likewise, whenthe envelope of the RF signal decreases, the voltage supplied to thepower amplifier can be decreased to reduce power consumption.

Envelope tracking systems with modeling for power amplifier supplyvoltage filtering are provided herein. In certain embodiments, anenvelope tracking system includes a supply voltage filter, a poweramplifier that receives a power amplifier supply voltage through thesupply voltage filter, and an envelope tracker that generates the poweramplifier supply voltage. The power amplifier provides amplification toa radio frequency (RF) signal that is generated based on digital signaldata, and the envelope tracker generates the power amplifier supplyvoltage based on an envelope signal corresponding to an envelope of theRF signal. The envelope tracking system further includes digitalmodeling circuitry that models the supply voltage filter and operates todigitally compensate the digital signal data for effects of the supplyvoltage filter, such as distortion.

Absent compensation, loading of the power amplifier on the supplyvoltage filter results in uncontrolled voltage swing that distorts thepower amplifier supply voltage and/or RF signal output of the poweramplifier. By modeling the supply voltage filter, a systemidentification can be calculated and taken into account as voltagedistortion. In certain implementations, the calculated voltagedistortion is used in subsequent open loop digital pre-distortion (DPD)calculations in pre-distortion circuitry.

The digital modeling circuitry can be implemented in a wide variety ofways. In one example, the digital modeling circuitry includes a finiteimpulse response (FIR) filter operable to model loading of the poweramplifier on the supply voltage filter. However, other types ofcircuitry can be used to account for the response of current coming outof the power amplifier and loading the supply voltage filter. In certainimplementations, the digital modeling circuitry receives a digitalrepresentation of the envelope signal after shaping to aid in modeling.

In certain implementations, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)digitizes a waveform of the power amplifier supply voltage of the poweramplifier, and the digitized supply voltage is used for model buildingand/or calibration of the digital modeling circuitry. By implementingthe envelope tracking system in this manner, the loading effects of thefilter are modeled and appropriately compensated for. For example,implementing the envelope tracking system in this manner enhances thecompleteness of the digital model of the supply voltage path to thepower amplifier, thereby allowing a more precise open loop DPDcalculation.

The envelope tracking systems herein can provide a number of advantages,including, but not limited to, improved adjacent channel leakage ratio(ACLR) and/or error vector magnitude (EVM). For example, ACLR can besubstantially improved, particularly at high power. Moreover, theteachings herein can provide enhanced tracking of mismatch changes toperformance due to power amplifier loading and/or improved memorymodeling of the power amplifier system due to isolation of memoryeffects arising from the supply voltage filter.

The filter modeling can be used for a wide variety of envelope trackingsystems, including, but not limited to, multi-level envelope trackers. Amulti-level envelope tracker can include a multi-level supply (MLS)DC-to-DC converter that generates two or more regulated voltages ofdifferent voltage levels, an MLS modulator that outputs a selectedregulated voltage chosen from the regulated voltages, and a filter thatfilters the MLS modulator's output to generate a power amplifier supplyvoltage for a power amplifier. Since multi-level envelope trackersoperate with supply voltage filters having non-zero output impedance,filter modeling can aid in accounting for distortion arising from suchimpedance. Thus, filter modeling can enhance performance in multi-levelenvelope trackers as well as in other types of envelope trackingsystems.

FIGS. 1-3 and 7A-7B depict schematic diagram of various embodiments ofenvelope tracking systems for a power amplifier. However, the teachingsherein are applicable to envelope trackers implemented in a wide varietyof ways. Accordingly, other implementations are possible.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an envelope trackingsystem 50. The envelope tracking system 50 includes a battery 1, anenvelope tracker 2, a power amplifier 3, a directional coupler 4, aduplexing and switching circuit (or other antenna access controlcircuit) 5, an antenna 6, a baseband processor 7, a digitalpre-distortion (DPD) or distortion correction circuit 9, an UQ modulator10, an observation receiver 11, an intermodulation detection circuit 12,a power amplifier supply voltage (V_(CC)) filter 15, a V_(CC) filterdigital model or digital modeling circuitry 16, an envelope delaycircuit 21, a coordinate rotation digital computation (CORDIC) circuit22, a shaping circuit 23, a digital-to-analog converter 24, and areconstruction filter 25.

The envelope tracking system 50 of FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment ofan envelope tracking system implemented in accordance with one or morefeatures of the present disclosure. However, the teachings herein areapplicable to RF systems implemented in a wide variety of ways.

The baseband processor 7 operates to generate an in-phase (I) signal anda quadrature-phase (Q) signal, which correspond to signal components ofa sinusoidal wave or signal of a desired amplitude, frequency, andphase. For example, the I signal and the Q signal provide an equivalentrepresentation of the sinusoidal wave. In certain implementations, the Iand Q signals are outputted in a digital format. The baseband processor7 can be any suitable processor for processing baseband signals. Forinstance, the baseband processor 7 can include a digital signalprocessor, a microprocessor, a programmable core, or any combinationthereof.

The DPD circuit 9 operates to provide digital shaping to the I and Qsignals to generate digitally pre-distorted I and Q signals. In theillustrated embodiment, the DPD provided by the DPD circuit 9 iscontrolled based on amount of intermodulation detected by theintermodulation detection circuit 12 and by a digital compensationsignal from the V_(CC) filter digital model 16. The DPD circuit 9 servesto reduce a distortion of the power amplifier 3 and/or to increase theefficiency of the power amplifier 3.

The I/Q modulator 10 receives the digitally pre-distorted I and Qsignals, which are processed to generate the RF signal RF IN. Forexample, the I/Q modulator 10 can include DACs configured to convert thedigitally pre-distorted I and Q signals into an analog format, mixersfor upconverting the analog I and Q signals to radio frequency, and asignal combiner for combining the upconverted I and Q signals into theRF signal RF IN. In certain implementations, the I/Q modulator 10 caninclude one or more filters configured to filter frequency content ofsignals processed therein.

The envelope delay circuit 21 delays the I and Q signals from thebaseband processor 7. Additionally, the CORDIC circuit 22 processes thedelayed I and Q signals to generate a digital envelope signalrepresenting an envelope of the RF signal RF IN. Although FIG. 1illustrates an implementation using the CORDIC circuit 22, an analogenvelope signal can be obtained in other ways, for instance, using anysuitable envelope extraction circuit.

The shaping circuit 23 operates to shape the digital envelope signal toenhance the performance of the envelope tracking system 50. In certainimplementations, the shaping circuit 23 includes a shaping table orlookup table that maps each level of the digital envelope signal to acorresponding shaped envelope signal level. Envelope shaping can aid incontrolling linearity, distortion, and/or efficiency of the poweramplifier 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shaped envelope signal is a digitalsignal that is converted by the DAC 24 to a pre-filtered analog envelopesignal. Additionally, the pre-filtered analog envelope signal isfiltered by the reconstruction filter 25 to generate an analog envelopesignal (ENVELOPE) for the envelope tracker 2. In certainimplementations, the reconstruction filter 25 includes a low passfilter.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1 , the envelope tracker 2 receivesthe analog envelope signal from the reconstruction filter 25 and abattery voltage V_(BATT) from the battery 1, and uses the analogenvelope signal to generate a power amplifier supply voltage V_(CC_PA)for the power amplifier 3 that changes in relation to the envelope ofthe RF signal RF_(IN).

As shown in FIG. 1 , the power amplifier 3 receives the power amplifiersupply voltage V_(CC_PA) from the envelope tracker 2 through the V_(CC)filter 15. The V_(CC) filter 15 can be implemented in a wide variety ofways. In one embodiment, the V_(CC) filter 15 includes at least oneseries inductor and at least one shunt capacitor. For example, theV_(CC) filter 15 can include one or more inductors in series between anoutput of the envelope tracker 2 and a power supply input of the poweramplifier 3, and one or more capacitors in shunt (for instance, toground) with the inductors. The power amplifier 3 receives the RF signalRF IN from the I/Q modulator 10, and provides an amplified RF signalRF_(OUT) to the antenna 6 through the duplexing and switching circuit 5,in this example.

The directional coupler 4 is positioned between the output of the poweramplifier 3 and the input of the duplexing and switching circuit 5,thereby allowing a measurement of output power of the power amplifier 3that does not include insertion loss of the duplexing and switchingcircuit 5. The sensed output signal from the directional coupler 4 isprovided to the observation receiver 11, which can include mixers forproviding down conversion to generate downconverted I and Q signals, andDACs for generating I and Q observation signals from the downconverted Iand Q signals.

The intermodulation detection circuit 12 determines an intermodulationproduct between the I and Q observation signals and the I and Q signalsfrom the baseband processor 7. Additionally, the intermodulationdetection circuit 12 controls the DPD provided by the DPD circuit 9. Inanother embodiment, the intermodulation detection circuit 12additionally or alternatively controls a delay of the envelope delaycircuit 21 and/or other suitable delay circuitry to control alignmentbetween signal and supply voltage.

By including a feedback path from the output of the power amplifier 3and baseband, the I and Q signals can be dynamically adjusted tooptimize the operation of the envelope tracking system 50. For example,configuring the envelope tracking system 50 in this manner can aid inproviding power control, compensating for transmitter impairments,and/or in performing DPD.

Although illustrated as a single stage, the power amplifier 3 caninclude one or more stages. Furthermore, the teachings herein areapplicable to communication systems including multiple power amplifiers.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the V_(CC) filter digital model 16 receives theshaped envelope signal, and processes the shaped envelope signal todigitally compensate the digital signal data corresponding to the RFinput signal RF IN for effects of the V_(CC) filter 15. Absentcompensation, loading of the power amplifier 3 on the V_(CC) filter 15results in uncontrolled voltage swing that distorts the power amplifiersupply voltage V_(CC_PA) and/or RF output signal RF_(OUT).

By digitally modeling the V_(CC) filter 15 using the V_(CC) filterdigital model 16, loading of the power amplifier 3 on the V_(CC) filter15 is accounted for. For example, the V_(CC) filter digital model 16 canoperate to digitally compensate the digital signal data to account forthe response of current coming out of the power amplifier 3 and loadingthe V_(CC) filter 15.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an envelopetracking system 80. The envelope tracking system 80 includes basebandcircuitry 51 that generates an I/Q waveform, amplitude extractioncircuitry 55 (for instance, a CORDIC circuit), an envelope trackinglookup table 56, MLS digital-to-analog power converter circuitry 57, apassive V_(CC) filter 58, a power amplifier 59, an output matchingcircuit 61, a signal splitter 62, an antenna 63 that serves as a load,an RF capture circuit or feedback receiver 65, a digital comparator 66,a V_(CC) filter digital model 68, and I/Q waveform processing circuitry70.

The I/Q waveform processing circuitry 70 includes an inverse poweramplifier model calculation circuit 72 and a two dimensional real timeinverse power amplifier modelling circuit 71. The I/Q waveformprocessing circuitry 70 operates to process the I/Q waveform from thebaseband circuitry 51 to generate an RF input signal for the poweramplifier 59. Although not depicted in FIG. 2 , the I/Q waveformprocessing circuitry 70 can include an I/Q modulator and/or other signalprocessing circuitry.

To provide accurate modeling and a corresponding increase in spectralperformance, the V_(CC) filter digital model 68 can be implemented tomatch the actual filter response of the passive V_(CC) filter 58. In oneembodiment, the passive V_(CC) filter 58 includes at least one seriesinductor 77 and at least one shunt capacitor 78.

Loading of the power amplifier 59 on the passive V_(CC) filter 58 at theRF modulation rate results in extra voltage changes at the poweramplifier supply voltage V_(CC_PA) due to the current loading of thepower amplifier 59. The currents depend on mismatch at the antenna 63and can vary in level by a ratio greater than two to one.

This in turn leads to uncertainty as to an amount of voltage ripplepresent in the power amplifier supply voltage V_(CC_PA) and/or theactual frequency response of the passive V_(CC) filter 58. Moreover,current from the power amplifier 59 is non-linear with power, and thusan overall frequency response of the passive V_(CC) filter 58 can changenon-linearly with power.

In certain communication systems, such as LTE radio systems, RFbandwidth is variable, but the bandwidth of the supply filter (forinstance, the passive V_(CC) filter 58) is fixed as determined by thefilter's components, for instance, inductors and/or capacitors. Thus,such systems can have a non-flat frequency response when the RFbandwidth is changed and/or operate with memory correction that isadapted when the RF bandwidth of the signal varies.

By implementing the envelope tracking system 80 with the filter digitalmodel 68, a number of advantages are provided, including, but notlimited to, improved ACLR, superior EVM, and/or enhanced tracking ofmismatch changes to performance due to loading of the power amplifier59. Moreover, improved modeling is provided due to isolation of memoryeffects arising from the passive V_(CC) filter 58.

The filter digital model 68 can be implemented in a wide variety of waysincluding, but not limited to, using a FIR filter to model loading ofthe power amplifier 59 on the passive V_(CC) filter 58. Thus,compensation is provided to account for the response of current comingout of the power amplifier 59 and loading the passive V_(CC) filter 58.

The illustrated envelope tracking system 80 includes MLSdigital-to-analog power converter circuitry 57, which illustrates oneexample of a multi-level envelope tracker. A multi-level envelopetracker can include a MLS DC-to-DC converter that generates two or moreregulated voltages of different voltage levels, an MLS modulator thatoutputs a selected regulated voltage chosen from the regulated voltagesbased on an envelope signal (corresponding to digital shaped envelopedata from the envelope tracking lookup table 56, in this example), and afilter that filters the MLS modulator's output to generate a poweramplifier supply voltage for a power amplifier.

Digital modeling of a supply voltage filter is applicable to a widevariety of types of envelope tracking systems including, but not limitedto, envelope tracking systems using a multi-level envelope tracker.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an envelopetracking system 100. The envelope tracking system 100 of FIG. 3 issimilar to the envelope tracking system 80 of FIG. 2 , except that theenvelope tracking system includes a different implementation of I/Qwaveform processing circuitry 90.

For example, the I/Q waveform processing circuitry 90 of FIG. 3 includesa two dimensional real time inverse power amplifier modeling circuit 81,an inverse power amplifier model and V_(CC) filter digital modelcalculation circuit 82, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 83.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the ADC 83 generates a digital representation ofthe power amplifier supply voltage V_(CC_PA) to aid in modeling. Forexample, the digitized supply voltage can be used to build and/orcalibrate digital modeling circuitry. By implementing the envelopetracking system in this manner, the loading effects of the filter aremodeling and appropriately compensated for. For example, implementingthe envelope tracking system in this manner enhances the completeness ofthe digital model of the supply voltage path to the power amplifier,thereby allowing a more precise open loop DPD calculation.

Thus, with the addition of a voltage sensing device (the ADC 83, in thisexample) at the power amplifier supply voltage node, the filter modelingcan be calculated and/or calibrated to accurately match the passiveV_(CC) filter 58 across various conditions of the power amplifier 59,including mismatch such as voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR).

Moreover, a separate or independent estimate of the actual response ofthe passive V_(CC) filter 58 allows for the DPD power amplifier model toremain substantially constant and/or memoryless, regardless of the RFsignal bandwidth used. This is particularly advantageous in LTE systemsand/or other communication systems in which RF bandwidth is variable(for instance, by allocating a desired number of resource blocks orRBs).

FIG. 4A is a graph of one example of collector current and voltagecharacteristics versus time. The graph includes plot of wanted ordesired V_(CC), V_(CC) accounting for reactance, an amount of addedreactive voltage, and a collector current of the power amplifier(implemented using a bipolar transistor operating in a common emitterconfiguration, in this example).

FIG. 4B is a graph of one example of system output spectrum. The systemoutput spectrum includes a calculated response 131 without considerationof reactance, a response 132 with added reactance to the filter model,and a reference response 133. In this example, reactance is measuredusing an ADC having an input coupled to the power amplifier's supplyvoltage (V_(CC)).

FIG. 5A is a graph of another example of collector current and voltagecharacteristics versus time. The graph includes plot of wanted ordesired V_(CC), V_(CC) accounting for reactance, an amount of addedreactive voltage, and a collector current of the power amplifier.

While the desired voltage is constant, V_(CC) has about 10% ripple dueto the output reactance of the V_(CC) filter when driven by the poweramplifier's load current.

FIG. 5B is a graph of another example of system output spectrum. Thesystem output spectrum includes a calculated response 141 withoutconsideration of reactance, a response 142 with added reactance to thefilter model, and a reference response 143.

FIG. 6 is a graph of one example of adjacent channel leakage ratio(ACLR) versus output power. The graph shows one example of ACLRimprovement for LTE10. The graph includes a first simulation 151 withreactance considered, a second simulation 152 with reactance correctionin DPD, and an ideal simulation 153.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an envelopetracking system 170. The envelope tracking system 170 includes basebandcircuitry 51 that generates an I/Q waveform, amplitude extractioncircuitry 55, an envelope tracking lookup table 56, envelope trackingdigital to analog converter circuitry 158, an envelope trackingintegrated circuit (IC) 159, a power amplifier 59, an output matchingcircuit 61, a signal splitter 62, an antenna 63 that serves as a load,an RF capture circuit or feedback receiver 65, a time align scale tounity circuit 161, a digital comparator 66, an inverse power amplifiercalculation model 164, and an inverse power amplifier model 162 thatgenerates a pre-distorted RF signal 163 for the power amplifier 59. Inthis example, the inverse power amplifier model 162 includes digitalmodeling circuitry for DPD calculations and an I/Q modulator forgenerating the pre-distorted RF signal based on digital signal data.

The power amplifier system 170 illustrates one example of a blockdiagram for DPD. In this example, the amplitude extraction circuit 55extracts the envelope using the I/Q waveform prior to processing by theinverse power amplifier model 162.

FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an envelopetracking system 180. The envelope tracking system 180 of FIG. 7B issimilar to the envelope tracking system 170 of FIG. 7A, except that theenvelope tracking system 180 extracts the envelope of the RF signalbased on I/Q waveform data after processing by the inverse poweramplifier model 162.

Implementing an envelope tracking system to extract the envelope basedon I/Q data that is processing by an inverse power amplifier modelprovides a number of advantages. For example, when mismatch is presentin the power amplifier, the DPD operates to increase RF signal power tothe power amplifier. By implementing envelope extraction as shown inFIG. 7B, more supply voltage is provided during saturation.

FIG. 8A is a Smith chart showing one example of error vector magnitudecontours. The Smith chart illustrates EVM contour plots for oneimplementation of the envelope tracking system of FIG. 7A. In thisexample, ES5 18 dBm contour plots are depicted with DPD using a 50voltage table.

FIG. 8B is a Smith chart showing another example of error vectormagnitude contours. The Smith chart illustrates EVM contour plots forone implementation of the envelope tracking system of FIG. 7B. In thisexample, ES5 18 dBm contour plots are depicted in which the voltagetable is modified by DPD.

As shown by a comparison of FIG. 8B and FIG. 8A, implementing anenvelope tracking system to extract the envelope based on I/Q data thatis processing by an inverse power amplifier model can provide animprovement in EVM.

FIG. 9 is a graph of another example of adjacent channel leakage ratioversus output power. The graph corresponds to simulations of LTE20 with60 MHz DPD bandwidth, and includes a first simulation 201 of ACLR1 usingcalculated DPD response without consideration of reactance, a secondsimulation 202 of LTE ACLR1 with reactance added to the DPD filtermodel, a third simulation of 203 of ACLR2 using calculated DPD responsewithout consideration of reactance, and a fourth simulation 204 of LTEACLR2 with reactance added to the DPD filter model.

FIG. 10 is a graph of another example of collector current and voltagecharacteristics versus time. The graph corresponds to a simulation ofLTE20 100 resource block (RB) at 31 dBm output power and 60 MHz DPDbandwidth. The graph includes plot of wanted or desired V_(CC), V_(CC)accounting for reactance, an amount of added reactive voltage, and acollector current of the power amplifier.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a mobile device 800 according toanother embodiment. The mobile device 800 includes a baseband system801, a transceiver 802, a front end system 803, antennas 804, a powermanagement system 805, a memory 806, a user interface 807, and a battery808.

The mobile device 800 can be used communicate using a wide variety ofcommunications technologies, including, but not limited to, 2G, 3G, 4G(including LTE, LTE-Advanced, and LTE-Advanced Pro), 5G, WLAN (forinstance, Wi-Fi), WPAN (for instance, Bluetooth and ZigBee), WMAN (forinstance, WiMax), and/or GPS technologies.

The transceiver 802 generates RF signals for transmission and processesincoming RF signals received from the antennas 804. It will beunderstood that various functionalities associated with the transmissionand receiving of RF signals can be achieved by one or more componentsthat are collectively represented in FIG. 11 as the transceiver 802. Inone example, separate components (for instance, separate circuits ordies) can be provided for handling certain types of RF signals.

The front end system 803 aids is conditioning signals transmitted toand/or received from the antennas 804. In the illustrated embodiment,the front end system 803 includes power amplifiers (PAs) 811, low noiseamplifiers (LNAs) 812, filters 813, switches 814, and duplexers 815.However, other implementations are possible.

For example, the front end system 803 can provide a number offunctionalizes, including, but not limited to, amplifying signals fortransmission, amplifying received signals, filtering signals, switchingbetween different bands, switching between different power modes,switching between transmission and receiving modes, duplexing ofsignals, multiplexing of signals (for instance, diplexing ortriplexing), or some combination thereof.

In certain implementations, the mobile device 800 supports carrieraggregation, thereby providing flexibility to increase peak data rates.Carrier aggregation can be used for both Frequency Division Duplexing(FDD) and Time Division Duplexing (TDD), and may be used to aggregate aplurality of carriers or channels. Carrier aggregation includescontiguous aggregation, in which contiguous carriers within the sameoperating frequency band are aggregated. Carrier aggregation can also benon-contiguous, and can include carriers separated in frequency within acommon band or in different bands.

The antennas 804 can include antennas used for a wide variety of typesof communications. For example, the antennas 804 can include antennasassociated transmitting and/or receiving signals associated with a widevariety of frequencies and communications standards.

In certain implementations, the antennas 804 support MIMO communicationsand/or switched diversity communications. For example, MIMOcommunications use multiple antennas for communicating multiple datastreams over a single radio frequency channel. MIMO communicationsbenefit from higher signal to noise ratio, improved coding, and/orreduced signal interference due to spatial multiplexing differences ofthe radio environment. Switched diversity refers to communications inwhich a particular antenna is selected for operation at a particulartime. For example, a switch can be used to select a particular antennafrom a group of antennas based on a variety of factors, such as anobserved bit error rate and/or a signal strength indicator.

The mobile device 800 can operate with beamforming in certainimplementations. For example, the front end system 803 can include phaseshifters having variable phase controlled by the transceiver 802.Additionally, the phase shifters are controlled to provide beamformation and directivity for transmission and/or reception of signalsusing the antennas 804. For example, in the context of signaltransmission, the phases of the transmit signals provided to theantennas 804 are controlled such that radiated signals from the antennas804 combine using constructive and destructive interference to generatean aggregate transmit signal exhibiting beam-like qualities with moresignal strength propagating in a given direction. In the context ofsignal reception, the phases are controlled such that more signal energyis received when the signal is arriving to the antennas 804 from aparticular direction. In certain implementations, the antennas 804include one or more arrays of antenna elements to enhance beamforming.

The baseband system 801 is coupled to the user interface 807 tofacilitate processing of various user input and output (110), such asvoice and data. The baseband system 801 provides the transceiver 802with digital representations of transmit signals, which the transceiver802 processes to generate RF signals for transmission. The basebandsystem 801 also processes digital representations of received signalsprovided by the transceiver 802. As shown in FIG. 11 , the basebandsystem 801 is coupled to the memory 806 of facilitate operation of themobile device 800.

The memory 806 can be used for a wide variety of purposes, such asstoring data and/or instructions to facilitate the operation of themobile device 800 and/or to provide storage of user information.

The power management system 805 provides a number of power managementfunctions of the mobile device 800. The power management system 805 caninclude an envelope tracker 860 implemented in accordance with one ormore features of the present disclosure. Additionally, the mobile device800 can be implemented with an envelope tracking system that includesthe envelope tracker 860.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the power management system 805 receives a batteryvoltage form the battery 808. The battery 808 can be any suitablebattery for use in the mobile device 800, including, for example, alithium-ion battery.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an MLS modulation system according toone embodiment. The MLS modulation system 1050 includes a modulatorcontrol circuit 1020, an MLS DC-to-DC converter 1025, a modulator switchbank 1027, and a decoupling capacitor bank 1030.

The MLS modulation system 1050 of FIG. 12 illustrates one implementationof MLS modulator circuitry suitable for incorporation in a multi-levelenvelope tracker. However, other implementations of MLS modulatorcircuitry can be included in multi-level envelope trackers implementedin accordance with the teachings herein.

The MLS DC-to-DC converter 1025 generates a first regulated voltageV_(MLS1), a second regulated voltage V_(MLS2), and a third regulatedvoltage V_(MLS3) based on providing DC-to-DC conversion of a batteryvoltage V_(BATT). Although an example with three regulated voltages isshown, the MLS DC-to-DC converter 1025 can generate more or fewerregulated voltages. In certain implementations, at least a portion ofthe regulated voltages are boosted relative to the battery voltageV_(BATT). Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the regulatedvoltages is a buck voltage having a voltage lower than the batteryvoltage V_(BATT).

The decoupling capacitor bank 1030 aids in stabilizing the regulatedvoltages generated by the MLS DC-to-DC converter 1025. For example, thedecoupling capacitor bank 1030 of FIG. 12 includes a first decouplingcapacitor 1031 for decoupling the first regulated voltage V_(MLS1), asecond decoupling capacitor 1032 for decoupling the second regulatedvoltage V_(MLS2), and a third decoupling capacitor 1033 for decouplingthe third regulated voltage V_(MLS3).

With continuing reference to FIG. 12 , the modulator switch bank 1027includes a first switch 1041 connected between the modulator's output(MOD_(OUT)) and the first regulated voltage V_(MLS1), a second switch1042 connected between the modulator's output and the second regulatedvoltage V_(MLS2), and a third switch 1043 connected between themodulator's output and the third regulated voltage V_(MLS3). Themodulator control 1020 operates to selectively open or close theswitches 1041-1043 based on an envelope signal ENVELOPE to therebycontrol the modulator's output.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an MLS DC-to-DC converter 1073according to one embodiment. The MLS DC-to-DC converter 1073 includes aninductor 1075, a first switch S₁, a second switch S₂, a third switch S₃,a fourth switch S₄, a fifth switch S₅, and a sixth switch S₆. The MLSDC-to-DC converter 1073 further includes control circuitry (not shown inFIG. 13 ) for opening and closing the switches to provide regulation.

The MLS DC-to-DC converter 1073 of FIG. 13 illustrates oneimplementation of an MLS DC-to-DC converter suitable for incorporationin a multi-level envelope tracker. However, other implementations of MLSDC-to-DC converters can be included in multi-level envelope trackersimplemented in accordance with the teachings herein.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first switch S₁ includes a first endelectrically connected to the battery voltage V BATT and a second endelectrically connected to a first end of the second switch S₂ and to afirst end of the inductor 1075. The second switch S₂ further includes asecond end electrically connected to a first or ground supply VGND.Although FIG. 13 illustrates a configuration of a DC-to-DC converterthat is powered using a ground supply and a battery voltage, theteachings herein are applicable to DC-to-DC converters powered using anysuitable power supplies. The inductor 1075 further includes a second endelectrically connected to a first end of each of the third to sixthswitches S₃-S₆. The third switch S₃ further includes a second endelectrically connected to the ground supply VGND. The fourth, fifth, andsixth switches S₄-S₆ each include a second end configured to generatethe first, second, and third regulated voltages V_(MLS1), V_(MLS2), andV_(MLS3), respectively.

The first to sixth switches S₁-S₆ are selectively opened or closed tomaintain regulated voltages within a particular error tolerance oftarget voltage levels. Although an example with three regulated voltagesis shown, the MLS DC-to-DC converter 1073 can be implemented to generatemore or fewer regulated voltages.

In the illustrated embodiment, the MLS DC-to-DC converter 1073 operatesas a buck-boost converter operable to generate regulated boost voltagesgreater than the battery voltage V_(BATT) and/or regulated buck voltageslower than the battery voltage V_(BATT). However, other implementationsare possible.

CONCLUSION

Some of the embodiments described above have provided examples inconnection with mobile devices. However, the principles and advantagesof the embodiments can be used for any other systems or apparatus thathave needs for envelope tracking.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” The word “coupled”, as generally usedherein, refers to two or more elements that may be either directlyconnected, or connected by way of one or more intermediate elements.Likewise, the word “connected”, as generally used herein, refers to twoor more elements that may be either directly connected, or connected byway of one or more intermediate elements. Additionally, the words“herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used inthis application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not toany particular portions of this application. Where the context permits,words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or pluralnumber may also include the plural or singular number respectively. Theword “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word coversall of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items inthe list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the itemsin the list.

Moreover, conditional language used herein, such as, among others,“can,” “could,” “might,” “can,” “e.g.,” “for example,” “such as” and thelike, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or withoutauthor input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/orstates are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, whileprocesses or blocks are presented in a given order, alternativeembodiments may perform routines having steps, or employ systems havingblocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may bedeleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified. Each ofthese processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of differentways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as beingperformed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be performedin parallel, or may be performed at different times.

The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments.

While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, theseembodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methodsand systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of otherforms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in theform of the methods and systems described herein may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims andtheir equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications aswould fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

1. (canceled)
 2. An envelope tracking system comprising: a poweramplifier configured to amplify a radio frequency signal and to receivepower from a power amplifier supply voltage; a supply voltage filterconfigured to filter the power amplifier supply voltage; a multi-levelenvelope tracker including a modulator having a plurality of inputsconfigured to receive a plurality of regulated voltages and an outputconnected to the power amplifier supply voltage through the supplyvoltage filter, the modulator controlled by an envelope signalindicating an envelope of the radio frequency signal; and digitalmodeling circuitry operable to model the supply voltage filter and tocompensate a digital representation of the radio frequency signal fordistortion arising from the supply voltage filter.
 3. The envelopetracking system of claim 2 wherein the supply voltage filter includes atleast one series inductor.
 4. The envelope tracking system of claim 3wherein the supply voltage filter further includes at least one shuntcapacitor.
 5. The envelope tracking system of claim 2 wherein themulti-level envelope tracker further includes a DC-to-DC converterconfigured to generate the plurality of regulated voltages.
 6. Theenvelope tracking system of claim 2 further comprising ananalog-to-digital converter configured to generate a digitalrepresentation of the power amplifier supply voltage, the digitalmodeling circuitry calibrated based on the digital representation of thepower amplifier supply voltage.
 7. The envelope tracking system of claim2 further comprising a shaping circuit configured to process digitalenvelope data to generate shaped envelope data, the envelope signalgenerated based on the shaped envelope data.
 8. The envelope trackingsystem of claim 7 wherein the digital modeling circuitry is furtherconfigured to compensate the digital representation of the radiofrequency signal based on the shaped envelope data.
 9. The envelopetracking system of claim 7 wherein the shaping table includes anenvelope tracking lookup table mapping a plurality of envelope levels ofthe digital envelope data to a plurality of corresponding shapedenvelope levels of the shaped envelope data.
 10. The envelope trackingsystem of claim 2 further comprising digital pre-distortion circuitryconfigured to digitally pre-distort the digital representation of theradio frequency signal, the digital pre-distortion circuitry configuredto receive a digital compensation signal from the digital modelingcircuitry.
 11. A mobile device comprising: a front end circuit includinga power amplifier configured to amplify a radio frequency signal and toreceive power from a power amplifier supply voltage, and a supplyvoltage filter configured to filter the power amplifier supply voltage;a power management circuit including a multi-level envelope trackerincluding a modulator having a plurality of inputs configured to receivea plurality of regulated voltages and an output connected to the poweramplifier supply voltage through the supply voltage filter, themodulator controlled by an envelope signal indicating an envelope of theradio frequency signal; and a baseband circuit including digitalmodeling circuitry operable to model the supply voltage filter and tocompensate a digital representation of the radio frequency signal fordistortion arising from the supply voltage filter.
 12. The mobile deviceof claim 11 wherein the supply voltage filter includes at least oneseries inductor.
 13. The mobile device of claim 12 wherein the supplyvoltage filter further includes at least one shunt capacitor.
 14. Themobile device of claim 11 wherein the multi-level envelope trackerfurther includes a DC-to-DC converter configured to generate theplurality of regulated voltages.
 15. The mobile device of claim 11wherein the power management circuit further includes ananalog-to-digital converter configured to generate a digitalrepresentation of the power amplifier supply voltage, the digitalmodeling circuitry calibrated based on the digital representation of thepower amplifier supply voltage.
 16. The mobile device of claim 11wherein the baseband circuit further includes digital pre-distortioncircuitry configured to digitally pre-distort the digital representationof the radio frequency signal, the digital pre-distortion circuitryconfigured to receive a digital compensation signal from the digitalmodeling circuitry.
 17. The mobile device of claim 11 further comprisingan antenna configured to transmit an amplified radio frequency signaloutputted from the power amplifier.
 18. A method of envelope tracking,the method comprising: amplifying a radio frequency signal using a poweramplifier; generating a power amplifier supply voltage that powers thepower amplifier based on an envelope signal indicating an envelope ofthe radio frequency signal using a modulator of a multi-level envelopetracker, the modulator having a plurality of inputs configured toreceive a plurality of regulated voltages and an output connected to thepower amplifier supply voltage through a supply voltage filter;filtering the power amplifier supply voltage using the supply voltagefilter; and compensating a digital representation of the radio frequencysignal for distortion arising from the supply voltage filter usingdigital modeling circuitry that models the supply voltage filter. 19.The method of claim 19 further comprising generating the plurality ofregulated voltages using a DC-to-DC converter of the multi-levelenvelope tracker.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprisinggenerating a digital representation of the power amplifier supplyvoltage using an analog-to-digital converter, and calibrating thedigital modeling circuitry based on the digital representation of thepower amplifier supply voltage.
 21. The method of claim 19 furthercomprising digitally pre-distorting the digital representation of theradio frequency signal using digital pre-distortion circuitry, andreceiving a digital compensation signal from the digital modelingcircuitry as an input to the digital pre-distortion circuitry.